Andrew Warren, 42, a former official with the Central Intelligence Agency, pleaded guilty today to a two-count criminal information charging him with abusive sexual contact and unlawful use of cocaine while possessing a firearm, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. for the District of Columbia and Ambassador Eric J. Boswell, Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security.

During the plea hearing before U.S. District Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle in the District of Columbia, Warren admitted that on Feb. 17, 2008, he committed abusive sexual contact while on U.S. embassy property in Algiers, Algeria, by engaging in sexual contact with a female victim after he rendered her unconscious. Additionally, Warren admitted that on April 26, 2010, he unlawfully used cocaine while possessing a Glock Model 19, 9 millimeter semi-automatic pistol in Norfolk, Va. At sentencing, which is scheduled for Sept. 9, 2010, Warren faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and a lifetime of supervised release. Warren will be required to register as a sex offender for a period of at least 25 years.

The case was investigated by the Diplomatic Security Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Norfolk Police Department. Agents from the U.S. Marshals Service assisted with Warren’s arrest in Norfolk. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julieanne Himelstein for the District of Columbia and Christine Duey from the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Haynie for the Eastern District of Virginia assisted in the prosecution.